Tirur was part of the Kingdom of Tanur (historical name Vettathunad) in medieval times. Tirur is made sacred by the birth of the Great malayalam poets Vallathol Narayana Menon and Thunchathu Ramanujan Ezhuthachan. Thunchathu Ramanujan Ezhuthachan, who is considered to be the father of the Malayalam language literature, lived in the town. Thunchan Parambu in Tirur is highly venerated and its sand is believed to be sacred. The sand is used in Vidyāraṃbhaṃ, especially on Vijayadashami. Tirur is considered to be the site of part of the first railroad laid by the British in Kerala. Tirur is the historical place of Wagon Tragedy in the Indian Independence Movement.
Now Tirur is a Town and Municipality in Malappuram District in the Indian state of Kerala spread over an area of 62.34 square kilometres (24.07 sq mi). It is one of the 12 municipalities in Malappuram district and is situated 26 kilometres (16 mi) west of Malappuram and 52.5 kilometres (32.6 mi) south of Kozhikode, on the Shoranur–Mangalore section of the Mangalore–Chennai railway line. The town is well known for its business culture and tradition. Tirur is a major regional trading centre for electronics, mobile phones and other gadgets.
Tirur is a place of possibilities in banking business too. More than 50 banks are working in and around the town, which includes Public, Private and Co-operative sector banks. The Tirur Urban Co-operative Bank was started as early as in 1916. The Bank has a humble but potential birth in terms of the economic conditions prevailed at the time of its inception. The bank commenced its business with a nominal capital of Rs. 193 (Rupees One Hundred Ninety Three only ), contributed by 128 members and a Deposit of Rs. 2093.(Rupees Two Thousand Ninety Three only ).
Sri. Punnakkal Narayanan Nair was the founding President of the bank. The beginning journey was very strenuous and challenging for the bank. In 1930 the bank was upgraded and renamed as Tirur Urban Co-operative Bank. In this year Sri. Punnakkal Kuttisankaran Nair was assumed charge as the President. The charismatic leadership qualities and foresight of this veteran contributed much to the growth of the bank, and he remained in the chair till his demise in 1979. As a result of the sincere hard work and commitment of the Management and employees, the prosperity of the bank was remarkable. Sri. M Govindan Nair, Sri. M Ramunnikkutty Menon, Sri. P Narayana Menon and Sri. K V Narayana Menon were the Secretaries of the bank during the experimental period of its inception. In 1957 Sri. K Kumaran Nair was appointed as the Secretary. His dedicated service was countable in the growth of the bank.
In 1964 the bank was renamed as The Tirur Service Co-operative Bank with a view to widen its activities from the normal banking business to embrace the business of ration retail shops and consumer articles.
In 1973 the bank was brought within the purview of the Banking Regulation Act and with effect from 1.4.1973 it was finally reorganized and renamed as the Tirur Urban Co-operative Bank Ltd. In 1967 the bank began to function in its own premises.
In 1979 Sri. Thuluthiyil Narayanan took charge as President and led the bank with a further outlook of advancement. Thereinafter Sri. Puzhakkal Muhammed Master, and Sri. P H Koyakkutty, were joined with the bank as Presidents . In 1977 the bank opened its first branch at Thalakkadathur and thereafter branches at Pattarnadakkavu and BP Angadi in 1981, Alathiyur in 1985. Pariyapuram in 1993, Ambalathingal in 1994, Tirur Evening and Kuttippala in 1995 and Vettichira in 2011 , Mangalam, Vailathur Evening and Kadungathukundu in 2012. In 1994 Sri. P P Abdullakkutty was elected as the Chairman of the bank. In 2007 Sri. Kootayi Basheer and in 2017. Sri. K Krishnan Nair chaired the Board. Now Sri. E Jayan is the Chairman.
The bank survived all the adversities and challenges which are inherent with the growth and development of a financial institution throughout its existence. Now the Bank has its Head Office at City junction, Tirur, and 12 Branches and 2 evening branches within the area of operation comprised of the Tirur Municippality, Thalakkad, Thirunavaya, Vettam, Mangalam, Purathur, Thriprangode, Cheriyamundam, Ponmundam, Thanalur, Niramaruthur, Valavannur, Athavanad, and Perumanna Klari Panchayaths.
